Day: May 19, 2011

On May 19, 2011, T.R.H.s Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium attended the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 1957 this famous competition, named after Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, is solely focuses on classical music. The events in the competition range from “… piano, voice, violin, and composition” and is “…considered the world over to be one of the most prestigious and most difficult in existence.”

To learn more about this competition please visit their official website here.

Recently, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, gave a televised interview with the German network, ZDF.

The interview took place at the Palais Princier de Monaco and during the interview the couple spoke about their upcoming nuptials, the desire to have children, and much more. Here is an article from the German online newspaper, MDR.de, which highlights what was said during the interview:

Many have doubted whether Prince Albert II, would ever find a woman to be by his side forever. Now, in only a few weeks, Miss Charlene Wittstock will soon become the Princess of Monaco. On the occasion of their wedding the couple gave interview for German television.

At the palace in Monaco the couple have confessed that the big wedding is completely to their liking. ‘If we could we choose, we would invite a small round nice people and stop somewhere, a very simple wedding ceremony,’ says Monaco’s Prince Albert. ‘But there are not only the other royal families and heads of state, will attend, we have also invited athletes, actors and musicians all of whom are friends of ours . ‘It will be fun,’ says Charlene Wittstock. 4,000 guests are invited to the religious wedding and over 200,000 spectators are expected to be in Monaco that day.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock have known each other since the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Now, eleven years later, they will marry. Did their love need a little time to develop? ‘A little bit,’ admitted Charlene. ‘There were a couple of years in between in which we had no contact,’ says Albert of Monaco. Then in 2005, they met again and the rest is history.

When asked how much the future role as Princess of Monaco will change her life, she says, ‘I think it will be something magical, but I will try to take it easy and carefully.’ The question remains whether the two other strong women in the Grimaldi family, Princess Caroline and her sister Princess Stephanie, will also take it so loose [?] now that Charlene will be number one. ‘They are both great women who have achieved much in their lives,’ says Charlene Wittstock. ‘They have always been incredibly supportive of me and always very kind to me.’

Almost all the royal families in Europe are expected at the wedding; however, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will not be there. ‘They simply have too many commitments at the time,’ said the prince. Asked about a possible heir to the throne in Monaco Charlene answers, ‘I would like to have children. I can not wait to start my own family,’ she says. ‘I agree with you,’ said the prince, who currently has two illegitimate children.

The interview will air sometime soon (I’ll let you know when it does, and if it will be streamed online on a later date.)

According to the official site for 18th Annual Cinema Against AIDS 2011, since the event’s first initial inception in 1993 the, “…Cinema Against AIDS events around the world have raised nearly $60 million for lifesaving AIDS research.” (source)

After the lavish dinner and auction was over, it was estimated that ten million U.S. dollars was raised for AIDS research during this event; furthermore, “… the appearance of Prince Albert of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, at the dinner and auction helped raise 1,000,000 Euros (roughly $1.4 million in U.S. currency)…” (source) In the end, the winners of the auction won “… two rounds of tennis with the prince and two swimming lessons with the future princess of Monaco.” (source)

On May 18, 2011, the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, attended the Style of Jolie jewelry presentation at the Safia Al-Rashid Gallery in Monaco.

The Style of Jolie is a signature collection created by Oscar winning actress, Angelina Jolie, in collaboration with jewelry designer, Robert Procop. The two designed some unique pieces using precious and semi-precious stones; furthermore, a “… portion of the sales will go to Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, the charity of Jolie’s choice.”

To learn more about Style of Jolie as well as to view some of the jewels up close please clickhere. To view photos of Miss Wittstock at the Style of Jolie event please click here.